Feds put helmet laws on wish list

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The National Transportation Safety Board thinks it's been a good little government agency and is asking Santa Law Claus to bring it helmet laws in all 50 states.

The NTSB's Christmas list includes better child seats and laws, giving the cops power to pull you over if you don't wear a seatbelt, keeping kids off their cell phones, putting the cork in DUI offenders and getting us two-wheeled demons under Styrofoam and fiberglass lids.

Currently, 27 states have partial helmet laws that require riders of certain ages to be covered and other riders to go free.  Twenty states have full coverage helmet laws for everyone and three  -- Iowa, Illinois and New Hampshire -- have no helmet laws.

"From 1997-2008, the number of motorcycle fatalities increased 150 percent, an increase that far exceeds that of any other form of transportation," the NTSB wrote.  "Although the number of motorcycle fatalities decreased in 2009, the number of motorcycle fatalities in any recent year has been more than double the number of deaths the same year from accidents in aviation, rail, marine, and pipeline combined."

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That's because more pilots, train passengers and boaters don't have to watch for fingernail-polishing twerps in Camry's running redlights and few people take the pipeline to work. But no matter.

"In 2009, more than 4,400 motorcyclists died in crashes, and motorcycle fatalities accounted for 13 percent of all motor vehicle crash fatalities," the NTSB stated. "Although rising motorcycle use may partly explain this trend, increases in fatalities have outpaced increases in activity measures, such as motorcycle registrations and vehicle miles traveled."

Virginia requires anyone not on a moped to wear a DOT-approved helmet.

So here's the NTSB's helmeted wish list:

Three states (IL, IA, and NH) should enact legislation to require motorcycle operators and passengers to wear an FMVSS 218-compliant helmet.

Amend current laws in the other 27 states with some helmet law to "require that all persons shall wear a Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218-compliant motorcycle helmet while riding (operating), or as a passenger on, any motorcycle."

Where the head falls

Some states, and D.C., require helmets but do not specify they be DOT-approved. To that end, the NTSB asks Santa to "amend current laws to require that all persons shall wear a Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218-compliant motorcycle helmet while riding (operating), or as a passenger on, any motorcycle."

It's good advice, to wear a helmet, and it's up to the rider to decide which helmet to wear, being as not all are created equally protective. It's the amount of risk you are willing to accept that determines whether you wear a fullface or a half-helmet.

Helmets are good advice. Whether it's a good law is up to the legislators and the voters.